TWC Accessibility Policy

Purpose

In accordance with Texas Government Code, Chapter 2054, Subchapter M, the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is committed to making its websites and other electronic and information resources (EIR) accessible to individuals with disabilities, including members of the public and agency employees, according to the standards set forth by Title 1 Texas Administrative Code Chapter 206 and Chapter 213.

This accessibility policy establishes a process to ensure that TWCEIR are accessible, or an exception to accessibility compliance has been approved by the TWC Executive Director.

Definitions

Accessible EIR

EIR designed in alternate formats, which can be used in a variety of ways and do not depend on a single sense or ability. Accessible EIR provide the same information, functionality and services to people with disabilities as to those without disabilities.

Alternate Formats

Other ways of publishing information. Some of these formats can be used by everyone while others are designed to address the specific needs of a user. Examples of alternate formats include Braille, ASCII text, large print, recorded audio, and electronic formats that comply with this policy.

Electronic and Information Resources (EIR)

Documents and resources, such as information technology and any equipment or interconnected system or subsystem of equipment, that is used in the creation, conversion, storage or duplication of data or information. As defined in Title 1 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Chapter 213, electronic and information resources include "information technology and any equipment or interconnected system or subsystem of equipment, that is used in the creation, conversion, duplication, or delivery of data or information." The term includes but is not limited to "telecommunications products (such as telephones), information kiosks and transaction machines, World Wide Web sites, multimedia, and office equipment such as copiers and fax machines."

Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

The term "Information and Communication Technology (ICT)" may be used interchangeably with "EIR" when used in documents and contracts.

Policy

Employees

TWC provides accessible EIR to its employees with disabilities to perform their job duties. Their access to EIR must be equivalent to the access provided to employees without disabilities, unless this requirement imposes a significant difficulty or expense.

Public

TWC provides access to and use of information to members of the public with disabilities who are seeking information or services from TWC. This access must be comparable to that provided to members of the public without disabilities, unless this requirement imposes a significant difficulty or expense.

Minimum Standard

At a minimum, TWC employees and contractors who are responsible for EIR must comply with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended by the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 and Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) version 2.0 Level AA.

TWC provides accessibility services in accordance with the following state and federal laws, rules and standards:

Exception Policy

Under special circumstances such as significant difficulty or expense, staff may submit an EIR accessibility exception request for a non-compliant resource development or procurement.

Situations that may require a request for an exception to accessibility compliance include:

An EIR resource is found to be inaccessible, but sufficient time or resources are not available to make the resource accessible.

A purchase request is for software that is inaccessible, but the software is used to produce accessible documents, applications or training.

An inaccessible document is required to be posted to the TWC Internet by legislative mandate.

A request for an exception to accessibility compliance can be initiated only after the TWC Accessibility Team, including the business area’s Accessibility Liaison, has evaluated the document or resource for remediation and determined no accessible alternate formats are available.

A request for exception to accessibility compliance includes:

An expiration date

A plan for alternate means of access for persons with disabilities

Justification for the exception, including relevant cost avoidance estimates

Such requests must be approved by the Executive Director, pursuant to § 2054.460, Texas Government Code. The Executive Director will specify an expiration date for each approved exception.

Responsibilities

Employees

All TWC employees are responsible for ensuring that any EIR they create, purchase or procure and distribute are accessible.

EIR Accessibility Liaison

The EIR Accessibility Liaison has the following responsibilities:

Provide consultation and assistance to employees in the business area to verify that EIR is accessible.

Act as liaison between their business area and the TWC Accessibility Team for training and consultation requests.

Work with the TWC Accessibility Team to test and remediate EIR when necessary.

Complete requests for an exception to accessibility compliance, if deemed necessary after consultation with the TWC Accessibility Team.

TWC Accessibility Team

The TWC Accessibility Team has the following responsibilities:

Provide technical assistance and training to help divisions and business units develop EIR which are accessible.

Coordinate with divisions and business units to ensure that EIR posted to the TWC Internet and Intranet are accessible.

Provide accessibility testing and assistance with remediation of EIR, including determining if accessible alternate formats are available.

Evaluate requests for an exception to accessibility compliance and provide recommendations for approval or denial.

TWC Executive Director

The TWC Executive Director (or designee) has the following responsibilities:

Enforce TWC accessibility policies.

Ensure that EIR are accessible for employee and public use.

Approve or deny all requests for an exception to accessibility compliance.

TWCEIR Accessibility Coordinator

TWC's EIR Accessibility Coordinator is a central point of contact for information concerning EIR accessibility issues and solutions. The coordinator monitors TWC's compliance with this accessibility policy and maintains TWC's plans and procedures for correcting non-compliant electronic and information resources.

Additionally, the Accessibility Coordinator has the following responsibilities:

Maintain the agency copy of approved and denied requests for exceptions to accessibility compliance.

Comments or Requests

TWC welcomes comments on how to improve accessibility for individuals with disabilities. Individuals who use assistive technology and find that the format of any material on our website interferes with their ability to access the information, or who have accessibility concerns regarding electronic and information resources, may contact TWC by email sent to accessibility@twc.state.tx.us.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Program
Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.
Deaf, hard-of-hearing or speech-impaired customers may contact Relay Texas: 800-735-2989 (TTY) and 711 (Voice). Equal opportunity is the law.